The National tribune., 1887-09-01
In WEST VIRGINIA.
Continued from 1st page.)

accommodating party composed of the 10th Ohio,
under Maj. Reilly, and the 25th Ohio, under
Col. Richardson. both under the command Of
Col. n. G. Mclean of the 18th. This little
force, eager for the battle crossed the river,
and with elastic step, followed the road few
hundred yards, thence up a long ravine to the
right, until they reached point directly in
front of the enemy, whose line was almost
half circle with the conyexity TO the left of
their center and toward the attacking force.
They were well posted behind natural fortif-
cations on the very summit.
Mclean formed his men quickly for the
charge, which was made up the PERCEPTIONS
mountain-side. Suddenly the whole mountain
seemed ablaze with the flashes of rebel guns
that thundered and vomited forth
SHOWERS OF LEADES HAIL.
The rocks and crags and trees seemed clothed
In the wild sublimity of the glory of natural
storm, as when mountain-tops salute each other
with heavens artillery.
But the mute heroism Of those brave hearts,
advancing against their country's foes, and
rising superior to present danger, was more
sublime than natures creations and cOnvul-
slons, and more worthy Of commendation than
the shattered majesty of ancient warriors. As
they charged in the face of the firing foe, they
adorned the grace of patriotism with purer
aud a nobler beauty. The enemy was driven
by these two regiments from the crest of the
mountain, their position taken and held for
four hours and half, during the first hour and
halfe of which time, notwithstanding the
struggle was
FIERCE AND sANGUINARY,
they were unsupported. The failure to bring
up reinforcements was because it was not
thought possible for them to hold out until
such should arrive.
Seeing that the enemy were constantly being
but Mel hnlH ia
ground, Milroy sent the sd Ohio, the 32d Ohio
and the Sd w. Va. to turn the Confederate
right. These regiments gallantly sprang for
ward to obey the order, the first two charging
up long ravine against force largely out
numbering them, and succeeded in reaching
position from which they poured CALLING fire
into the Contederates, at one time causing them
to waver, when the Confederate regiments
(25th and 3lst Va were moved to an elevated
woodland to support the 44th Va, which was
sorely pressed on their right and rear, which
commanded the position of our men. Jackson
sent the 2lst Va. to resist the Sd w. Va, which
was advancing by the road to
ATTACK THE EXTREME RIGHT.
The brigade of Col. Campbell, with the 10th
Va, were sent to strengthen the Confederate
right.
During this charge, by direction of Gen.
Milroy, a section of Johnson's battery, under
command of Lieut.. Powers, was with great diff
ficulty placed in position on HulPs Hill, an
other spur to the left of the road, and one mile
distant from the enemy, which did good service.
The battle now became general all along the
line, and the firing was well sustained on both
sides until $50 y. m. For some time before
this the men, in firing. were guided by the
flashes OF the enemy's guns, and we suppose
would have kept it up all night if the go rounds
of ammunition had not given out.t
For several hours during the fight large
Newfoundland dog that had accompanied the
brigade was running back and forth in front of
our line, barking and swapping at the flying
missiles, but before the fight was over he fell,
PIERCED BY A SCORE OF BALLS.
When the firing ceased, both forces retired
from the field in good order under cover of
the night, the Federals to Mcdowell, and
thence to Franklin, Va; the Confederates in
the direction of Staunton.
There were actually engaged on the Federal
side 2,26S ment besides the battery, and the
losses were 256. On the Confederate side, the
forces actually engaged, from their reports,
were 5000 men, and the losses reported were
499. Among these were Col. Gibbons, 10th Va,
killed; Gen. johnson. Col. NJ. G. Harman, SD
Va, Col. Smith and Maj. Higginbotham, of the
2oth Va, and Maj. Campbell, of the AID Va,
were all wounded.
In the Confederate records the losses reported
in the 31st and 44th Va. are not full; both
regiments suffered heavily, and a Confederate
officer who participated in the battle informed
the writer that in his regiment (the 3Ist) the
losses were at least 80 he himself having been
wounded, and that the Confederate total losses
WERE OVER 6O0
In the Summer of 1885 made a visit to the
Tygarts Valley, where we spent so many
months during the Summer and Fall of 1861
and the Winter Of 1862. Then desolation
marked the path Of war; The implements of
husbandry were laid aside, the mills ceased to
grind, and every industry was paralyzed. The
condition of the people was pitiable. and their
future seemed hopeless. Twenty-four years of
peace and plenty have worked a marvellous
change. The soil. fertilized by precious blood,
yields a golden harvest. The wide pastures
scaling the mountain-sides are dotted with
sheep and cattle. New homes have sprung up,
and school-houses, with bright-faced children,
are found every few miles along the turnpike.
Most of those you meet are grown to manhood
and womanhoOd since the exciting days of the
conflict, and il is hard to realize that this is
indeed the land where armed men
sTRovE IN DEADLY COMBAT
The surroundings are so different. The very
air seemed ladened with freshness and hospi-
tality. The mountains, clothed in autumnal-
tinted forests swinging low under the weight
of chestnut, hickorynut and walnut; the
| tangled vines, laden with~the Iivid clusters ol
wild grapes and berries; the singing of birds
the bleating of lambs, and the lowing of cattle
all seemed TO blend in one general salutation
of peace and JOY.
1t seems to me that one of the grandest
achievements of this age is the fact that q
million of men at the word of command left
the battle front and returned without a halt 20
the pursuits of peace, casting aside the anm0si-
ties of the strife and burying all bitterness
When | entered this valley hesitated how to
conduct myself in the presence of those who
were once arrayed against me in arms. To my
surprise, have never received so generous a
welcome in my life as from
THESE OLD CONFEDERATE SOLDIERS.
One of them told me no Yankee officer should
ever pass through that valley without being
captured by him. And he did capture me, and
| fed me- and, If it had been necessary, believe
| he would have clothed me- With several oil
these new-made friends we climbed noun tains
visited tattlefelds, waded streams, rode
| through the country, and discussed the war az
freely as if we-had been comrades-in-arms.
Many Ohio and Indiana troops participated
| in the successive battles and skirmishes that
| made this valley almost a continuous battle
field The conflicts at Beelington, Laurel III ILL
Carrick's Ford, Buchanan, Rich Mountain, Elk.
| water, Cheat Mountain, Greenbriar, Camp Bald.
win and Allegheny Mountain, as also those ovel
the mountain. Grab Bottom, Monterey, and
Mcdowell, are
STILL FRESH IN THE MEMORY
of those who took part in them % years ago; anG
Seen Milroy said: From the top Of n hief